The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) organised a seminar for journalists on the theme of “Sustainable Tourism Development in Heritage Sites” in Hanoi on March 12, aiming to raise awareness of sustainable tourism development in heritage areas through the press and media.
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| Addressing the event, Jake Brunner, Acting Country Representative of IUCN Vietnam, said that the burgeoning tourism industry has contributed to preserving and promoting the cultural and natural heritage values and has contributed significantly to national economic development. (Photo:TPO) |
The seminar is organised under the framework of the Ha Long-Cat Ba Alliance Initiative Project, which is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Addressing the event, Jake Brunner, Acting Country Representative of IUCN Vietnam, said that the burgeoning tourism industry has contributed to preserving and promoting the cultural and natural heritage values and has contributed significantly to national economic development. However, in some coastal provinces, especially in neighboring areas and buffer zones of nature reserves and World Heritage sites, excessive tourism development is a cause for great concern, he added.
The seminar is expected to offer journalists a chance to exchange directly with management, experts, and international organisations regarding the impacts of tourism development on the environment in general and the ecosystems in Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba in particular, as well as exploring solutions for sustainable tourism development in this area.
In addition, the experts have proposed solutions for sustainable tourism development at natural heritage sites, plans to increase public awareness about the current state of the environment, and water quality in Ha Long bay - Cat Ba islands.
(http://en.nhandan.com.vn/)
